Arts & Culture

Most Iconic Works Of Art In Las Vegas

Las Vegas isn’t necessarily known for its works of art. The most familiar sights of this city are the neon signs of the strip and downtown. However, everyone agrees that the strip can be quite colorful, alluring to gazing eyes from all who visit. Check out these top iconic works of this sleepless city that shine bright for all to see.

The “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign has been a a piece of this city’s art since 1959. However, until recently, it was always very difficult and dangerous to get close to for a picture or just a closer look. With the expansion of the strip and the efforts to make the far south end easier to access, the sign was placed in a safer location with a parking lot to accomodate visitors. Take note when checking this monument out as the parking lot is only accessible by traveling south along Las Vegas Boulevard, past Mandalay Bay, toward the Las Vegas Premium Outlet Stores.

The Neon Museum, or Neon Boneyard, is a nonprofit organization created by individuals who wanted to keep these glowing iconic art forms of Las Vegas alive. Instead of allowing the signs of crumbled casinos disappear and become destroyed, the signs have been preserved and placed in a location where everyone has the opportunity to remember what old Las Vegas was like. Tours are by reservation only for a very limited time during the museum’s operating hours. It is recommended to make reservations at least two weeks in advance.

Fiori di Como is a chandelier of hand-blown glass blossoms, created by Dale Chihuly, held in a coffer in the ceiling of the Bellagio lobby. The blossoms shower the lobby in an array of colors. The best time of day to come in is after a night out on the town, as this chandelier will provide a soothing calmness to balance out the draining craziness of Las Vegas nightlife. The Fiori di Como has been featured in numerous art magazines for it’s extreme uniqueness. While visiting the Bellagio, there are several other pieces by Dale Chihuly to see, so look around.

On the Las Vegas Boulevard, between Mirage and Treasure Island, rests a bronze statue of the longest running magic duo in Las Vegas. Siegfried and Roy, as well as the head of one of their tigers, awaits tourists and locals alike for photo opportunities. Pay tribute to some of the best entertainers to ever perform in Vegas. This statue is easy to bypass if not paying attention, so keep your head up. Take the time to look for it, because it’s definitely worth a few minutes of time.

With the most impressive vestige of neon signs in Las Vegas, the entire street of Fremont has become a work of art. Many of the signs that could not be moved down to accommodate the ceilings of new or renovated buildings were removed from the hotels and placed in the Neon Boneyard. However, some classic signs of downtown remain and continue to light up the city, partaking in a nightly show. Visit Fremont Street for a real dose of what Vegas is all about.

What is your favorite iconic Las Vegas work of art? Let us know in a comment below.

Amber Campbell is a writer who lives in Las Vegas, Nevada. She has been writing for Examiner.com since 2009, as a gaming, fantasy book reviewer and now as the Las Vegas Literature examiner. She has published stories under her writing name, Micaela Fischer, and also has a novel, Hidden From Destiny. She is also a proofreader, editor and typesetter. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.